Surmising: meaning, definitions and examples
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surmising
[ sɜːrˈmaɪzɪŋ ]
making an assumption
Surmising is the act of forming an opinion or making a guess based on incomplete or insufficient evidence. It often involves inferring information or drawing conclusions without having all the necessary data to support those conclusions. This term is frequently used when one is speculating about someone else's thoughts, feelings, or intentions. Surmising may also imply a degree of intuition or instinct that informs the guesswork involved.
Synonyms
assumption, guess, inference, speculation.
Examples of usage
- She was surmising the reasons for his sudden silence.
- He couldn’t help but start surmising what would happen next.
- The detective was surmising the suspect's motives.
- After glancing at the table, she began surmising their conversation.
Translations
Translations of the word "surmising" in other languages:
🇵🇹 suposição
🇮🇳 अनुमान लगाना
🇩🇪 vermuten
🇮🇩 mengira
🇺🇦 припущення
🇵🇱 przypuszczenie
🇯🇵 推測する
🇫🇷 supposition
🇪🇸 suponer
🇹🇷 varsaymak
🇰🇷 추측하다
🇸🇦 افتراض
🇨🇿 předpokládat
🇸🇰 predpokladať
🇨🇳 推测
🇸🇮 domnevati
🇮🇸 álykta
🇰🇿 болжам жасау
🇬🇪 დააზრიონო
🇦🇿 təhmin etmək
🇲🇽 suponer
Etymology
The term 'surmise' originates from the Middle English word 'surmisen,' which means to suppose or conjecture. This, in turn, comes from the Latin 'submī̆sāre,' meaning to put under or to suppose, formed from 'sub-' (under) and 'mittere' (to send). The term evolved through various forms as it entered the English language, carrying with it the essence of making speculative inferences. In literature, surmising has been commonly associated with activities such as investigation, mystery plots, and interpersonal dynamics, where characters are often required to fill in gaps in knowledge through deduction or intuition. Over the years, it has maintained its application in contexts that invite conjecture, speculation, and inference, integrating seamlessly into various domains of discourse.